Plymouth Conservatives elect new council group leader

The Conservative group on Plymouth City Council has elected a new leader.

Cllr Ian Bowyer was elected to succeed Cllr Ted Fry as leader in a meeting of group members on Monday, ahead of one other candidate, Cllr Glenn Jordan.

Cllr Fry lost a vote of no confidence in his leadership earlier this month. Cllr Patrick Nicholson has been acting leader but made it clear he was not interested in the role on a permanent basis. He will continue as the group's deputy leader.

Cllr Nigel Churchill becomes chief whip for the group and Cllr Terri Beer, group secretary.

Cllr Bowyer, who represents the Eggbuckland ward, will now lead the Conservatives in opposition on the Council. His council seat is up for re-election in May 2014.

Cllr Fry, who succeeded former Plymouth City Council leader Cllr Vivien Pengelly when she became Lord Mayor, led the Tory group for just a few months.